The other day I saw someone posted a video on Facebook, entitled “Fat Girl Dancing.” I normally skip these types of videos because most of them are made to make fun of plus size women. But, I actually watched this and it was great! The video is of Whitney Thore, a radio producer dancing to Jason Derulo’s song “Talk Dirty to Me.” She is definitely hitting moves in this video.

We posted the video to our page and many of our readers took issue with the name of the video. To clear up the confusion, you must know that Whitney named the video. As a part of her No Body Shame Campaign she is embracing the term fat, and we’re definitely in support of that.

We love everything that inspires and embraces self love. Going to clubs, I’ve seen more plus women sitting down or holding up the wall than actually getting out on the floor dancing. I have no problem being the only plus woman on the main stage dancing my behind off. If you want guys to dance with you, show them you know a move or two. Besides dancing is an excellent exercise. It’s fun and freeing. This video really caught my attentions so I reached out to Whitney to get more information on her, the campaign, and what’s next.

Misty Felde Photography – Images by Misty

By the way, this is not Whitney’s first dancing video (and not the last), but I wanted to know why/how she thought this one is becoming a viral hit.

While I’ve gotten a lot of positive responses from previous Fat Girl Dancing videos, the way I shared this one was different. Instead of posting a link to youtube, I embedded the video directly into Facebook. It’s my guess that this allowed it to become more visible and reach more people through the 150k+ shares I’m aware of!”, shared Whitney Thore.

Body image starts from an early age. How we feel about ourselves and how others make us feel is important and can shape our minds as we grow. For Whitney, she internalized her weight at the age of 10.

In Whitney’s words:

I had the idea for No Body Shame Campaign after I posted photos of myself from a boudoir shoots, and while many responses were positive, there was a whoooole lotta fat-shaming going on!. I started blogging really just for therapy, so I could have my thoughts in one place – a sanctuary for me to talk about my life experiences and my journey from a thin woman to a fat woman to a sort of fat woman back to a really fat woman! I’ve been every kind of woman there is to be, it seems, so I’ve seen life through several lenses and I just wanted to share in hopes to help other women….because after putting my life and dreams on pause for nearly a decade, I feel like I’m finally coming out on the other side. No Body Shame Campaign isn’t just for fat women – if you read my blog you’ll see I started internalizing body shame when I weighed just over 100 pounds. Shame is something that women of all shapes, sizes, and races encounter – and we’re all in this together. I want women to accept and love themselves regardless – because we are so, so much more than just a body.

Be on the lookout for more videos from Whitney. I asked her what song she would like to do next and she said “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry. What else is next for this fat girl dancing? “A member of the Pussycat Dolls, Jessica Sutta, contacted me and I will be filming a video for her single in the next three days which we will then release to social media. Be on the lookout!,”shared Whitney.

Whitney we salute you and love what you are doing. If you like the video, share it and check out Whitney’s campaign site Nobodyshamecampaign.com. Most importantly, embrace your curves (or fat) and show the world you too can dance!

T. Marlene is the Associate Editor for Daily Venus Diva, helping the EIC to provide daily content and a presence on social media sites. T. Marlene is also a Baltimore native, plus model, actress, and graphic artist. T. owns her own graphic design company (MaeLea Designs) and has over 20 years of experience. T. currently resides in Charlotte with her 3 year old daughter and mom. http://www.tamaramarlene.com/

Comments

Hi Marlene. Thanks for the article. I just found out about Whitney after someone posted her video on FB the other day. LOVE her. Love you. I had my own fat girl Latin dance company from 1993-2004 called The Mambo Mamas. We performed all over NYC in several other US cities, a few other countries & even a couple of TV shows. It was always very rewarding to me when women told me we inspired them to feel free to get out on the floor and dance too. Glad you young women are carrying on the good work. Rock on!!!

Ummm…. Why is that fact that fat girls can dance such a surprise to anyone?? They have rhythm, coordination and soul just like everyone else. Some of the most beautiful dancers that I’ve ever seen have been what society would deem “Fat”. This girl is nothing special and I feel like she is actually just using her weight and her good personality about being “fat” as a way to “make it”. It’s not about her “nobodyshamechampaign”, it’s about how can I use my radio station and my gimmick “being fat” to further my status and meet Ellen.

Large ladies, support other large ladies in real life, not just over the internet. Sit down with them, make friends with them, support them. That’s when you see who is in it for themselves or for the cause.

I am a “plus size” burlesque dancer. There is a whole world out there of acceptance of us! It is so awesome that after I have performed with other skinny girls and people come up to me to tell me I was their favorite. My size is not looked at, but the way I perform. You go Whitney!

I love to dance! I always have. I enjoyed dancing at a wedding a handful of years back and without knowing, part of the dancefloor celebrations was video taped by the family. The bride came up to me a few weeks later and said that they had watched the video and she complimented me on my dancing. I was blessed to hear that rhythm and moves were acknowledged and that it wasn’t about my weight. Women of all sizes have it in them to move their bodies beautifully.

I never saw this woman as a fat dancer. I see her as a confident strong woman. I as a strong beautiful larger confident woman hold my head high and carry on with confidence everyday. I will not lose my confidence to people who discriminate as I can do anything anyone else can do. And I am Big,Bold and Ballsy! NHDIVA <3

Absolutely fantastic, I’ve dealt with weight problems my whole life. Whitney inspires me so much, people need to praise and respect her. People do not realise what they do by making nasty comments about weight, when it was done to me I ended up with anorexia and bulimia this is not a life. I wish I was as confident as Whitney, I really hope she has her happy ending that she deserves.

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